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Post by Village Idiot on Dec 14, 2022 13:26:28 GMT -5
Some local kid (about 35, so not really a kid) hit my car as he was pulling out of a row of gas tanks the day after Thanksgiving. Long story short, we exchanged phone numbers, he apologized several times, I called my insurance company, they recorded my statement, said it looked pretty cut and dried (the other guy's fault) I thanked them, got off the phone, and waited. I waited a week, heard nothing, called them back.
"Yes, we spoke with the person, he said it was his fault and admitted that guilt, but now we he's not answering our calls, and can't find his insurance company. Would you like to use your $500 deductible, or have us continue pursuing him?"
Continue pursuing him. Being in Vinton, I've seen this guy around. Being in Vinton, he can't hide his head in the sand forever. What's sad is that I am a nice guy and if he didn't have any money I would have helped him work something out. But not anymore.
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Post by Marshall on Dec 14, 2022 13:47:18 GMT -5
Illinois is a no-fault insurance state. Though if the other guy doen’t have insurance you will pay the deductible.
You coulda asked for his insurance card. But I’m sure you realize that now.
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Post by Hobson on Dec 14, 2022 13:48:00 GMT -5
No more Mister Nice Guy. Sorry that you have to deal with this.
We almost got hit yesterday as I was pulling in from the access drive to the parking lot at Mr. H's retinal specialist. A woman was pulling out and not leaving me room to pull in, so I waited to make my right turn. She turned left very sharply in front of me and came at my car. She was not even aware I was there until I leaned on the horn. She came to a stop 2 feet from us and had to back up to pull out. Yeah, I get that it's a retinal specialist, but there are a bunch of other medical offices in the complex so I have no idea whether she shouldn't be driving due to vision, inattention, or general stupidity. She was elderly, i.e. older than me. The hassle of having to deal with insurance, getting the car repaired with the current supply chain issues, and not having the car while it's being worked on ran through my head.
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Post by Cornflake on Dec 14, 2022 13:49:46 GMT -5
You shouldn't indulge him any further, Todd.
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Post by drlj on Dec 14, 2022 14:11:15 GMT -5
Hunt him down like the scurvy dog he is. Or just pay the deductible, which you will probably have to pay anyway, and get your car fixed.
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Post by Village Idiot on Dec 14, 2022 14:27:25 GMT -5
We traded phone numbers, but it didn't occur to me to exchange insurance information. I'd say that's because I haven't been in a situation like this for 30 years or so and didn't think of that until after. Insurance continues pursuing the guy so I'll just wait. Fortunately the car is quite drivable.
Small claims court is an option, isn't it?
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Post by Hobson on Dec 14, 2022 15:01:09 GMT -5
Many years ago, like over 40 years ago, I filed in small claims court after a guy with no insurance rear ended my car. He said that he had no money. The day before the court date he showed up at the office where I worked and paid me off in cash. So, yes, it is an option and will show him that you're serious about collecting.
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Post by t-bob on Dec 14, 2022 15:15:48 GMT -5
Regrets Todd
The person that hit your car.
Do you have his driver license and the license plate? If they're both genuine.....
Your insurance company will deal with the accident...
Bummer....
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Post by david on Dec 14, 2022 15:18:33 GMT -5
Your insurance company can determine whether there was insurance on the other car. If there is, you should file a claim with that insurer.
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Post by Village Idiot on Dec 14, 2022 15:37:16 GMT -5
Thanks, all. David, what you mentioned is what my insurance company is doing now. The next step is to find out whether he has insurance or not.
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Post by RickW on Dec 15, 2022 15:51:24 GMT -5
It’s not a bad idea to whip out the phone and take a picture of the accident. My had somewhat the same thing happen. Guy changed lanes into her, apologized, they exchanged information, and he left. When the insurance company phoned him, he claimed she hit him, and there were no other witnesses. Nothing we could do.
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Post by pthomas on Dec 15, 2022 16:29:58 GMT -5
Todd, went through this with a driver down by Williamsburg who backed into me. I did get his Insurance information (I am a former insurance agent) and it still did not much matter!
Let the insurance company pursue it as it took over 6 months to finally track down the people and get them to pay. Heard from their insurance company several times that it was not their liability. I went ahead and paid the deductible to get the truck fix and when my company finally tracked them down and pursued the offenders I was reimbursed. It was frustrating, but perseverance and a willingness to write off the deductible finally paid off.
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Post by John B on Dec 15, 2022 16:48:25 GMT -5
I have had people pull out in front of me, hitting me; I have been rear-ended several times, including once during the time between the previous rear-ending and the appointment to get it fixed. I told the person that hit me to have a nice day - she got a mulligan since my damage was already going to be repaired.
I ALWAYS take pictures of the damage, the other car's license plate, and call the cops to file a report. I also get copies of their insurance cards right there (I take pics). I have had occasions where the other driver wasn't insured, and my company paid, but I find that being insistent on getting the info right then and there puts a crimp in their desire to try to evade payment.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Dec 15, 2022 17:50:09 GMT -5
The problem with small claims court is that some people are judgement proof. If they are broke and have no assets, they may not pay you anything, regardless of what the court finds.
Mike
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Post by jdd2 on Dec 15, 2022 18:32:57 GMT -5
These thingies known here as 'drive recorders' are very common, both front and back. I think most new cars now have them, almost a no-brainer IMO.
Eyewitness testimony is frequently only a partial picture, even when liability is not involved.
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Post by david on Dec 15, 2022 19:39:45 GMT -5
For anyone who gets in an accident, whether it is your fault or the other driver's fault:
1. take a picture of the other driver's insurance card, driver's license and license plate 2. take multiple pictures of the damage to the other driver's car 3. If there are witnesses, including passengers, try to get their names and contact information 4. Take pictures of the scene, both where the accident started and where the cars ended up. Get pictures of signposts if possible 5. If there are visible skid marks, get pictures
All this will help determine fault and damages, it will increase your memory of the event and create a better picture for whomever might be determining fault and damages, whether it is an insurer or judge.
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Post by Village Idiot on Dec 15, 2022 22:06:34 GMT -5
All good advice from a bunch of you, especially the pictures. I haven't been in a situation like this for over a quarter of a century so I never thought about any of it until after the fact.
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Post by coachdoc on Dec 15, 2022 23:06:44 GMT -5
Having a camera in your phone really ups the documentation game. It’s always with you no excuse to not use it.
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Post by TKennedy on Dec 16, 2022 9:25:59 GMT -5
I have not heard anyone mention calling the police.
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Post by drlj on Dec 16, 2022 10:10:24 GMT -5
I had someone, at a stop sign, put her car in reverse and slam into me. The woman then said she would say I hit her and drove off. I had her license plate number so I drove to the police station , reported the accident, and filed a hit and run report. I took the info to my insurance company & they were able to find out who she was and send a claim to her insurance. A few days later, I got a call from her insurance telling me they would not pay because she claimed I had old damage. I asked if they were aware it was a hit & run and gave them the police report number. There was silence on the other end of the phone for a couple minutes and then the agent said they would send a check that afternoon, which they did. My agent called a couple days later to tell me the other insurance company told him they canceled the lady. Oh, what a tangled web we weave….
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